Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from Ferney and dated 15 June 1771 [D17240]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36769
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.175), ‘A la Princesse de Talmont, Ferney, 15 juin 1771 (M. 8308)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from Ferney and dated 15 June 1771 [D17240]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Made,
Un vieillard aveugle et mourant, a été instruit par les yeux d’autrui que vôtre cachet était à une Lettre du 4 juin non signée de vous.
Incipit Modernised:
Madame, Un vieillard aveugle et mourant, a été instruit par les yeux d’autrui que votre cachet était à une Lettre du 4 juin non signée de vous.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from château de Ferney and dated 15 June 1771.
Detailed Summary:
The elderly and dying writer has been informed of an unsigned letter dated 4 June written by his addressee. Although the writer is too removed from worldly affairs to engage in national disputes, he expresses deep respect for his correspondent’s esteemed contributions, which have notably saved Vienna from Ottoman control and may one day help rid Europe of these invaders. The author reflects on the failure of Christian princes to prioritise the public good over their perceived personal interests, while praising those of his correspondent’s rank who have achieved notable victories.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
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History
Date:
15 June 1771
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
vol.121, p.432–433
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.121, ‘MS1’, p.433
Record created by:
Record created on: